In An English Country Garden

Countries

UK - England

Highlights

For garden lovers who are uncertain whether large group coach travel would suit them, we offer this appealing alternative. Travel with a very small group of like-minded people at a leisurely pace along back-roads and byways visiting more than 40 of Englandʼs greatest gardens, with time to pause along the way when an unexpected experience (or flower) reveals itself.

A Unique Tour, for Six to Twelve People

Journey with Suz as she seeks out in the rolling hills and valleys and dense woods, along sleepy winding rivers, and through beautifully-preserved villages and market towns, the most delightful and the most dramatic of gardens; indeed, some of the finest and most famous gardens in the country; flower-filled cottage gardens, charming manor gardens and the majestic parks, lakes and walled gardens of palace and castle.

We travel first for four days in Cambridgeshire, and through the spacious Fens; John Constable’s land of wide skies and ancient oaks, slow moving rivers and wind pumps, country lanes, churches and cottages; scenes which came to epitomise the English countryside for some of us.

We move into the pretty and prosperous heart of The Cotswolds to spend four days experiencing some of the loveliest scenery in England, where cottages, mills, bridges and churches of mellow honey-yellow stone blend harmoniously into gracious villages, where the roses cling to the cottage walls and clematis tumble over the porches.

Then we head south-west to wander through the familiar landscape of Stourhead. In Somerset and Dorset we explore for three days yet another area of great gardens and scenery, accommodated in a luxurious Country House in spacious gardens in the heart of Somerset. To The West Country for four days where we stay in the garden of Meudon. We visit some of the paradise gardens, where the Quakers succeeded in their attempt to create a little bit of heaven on earth; gardens basking in the balmy climate endowed by the gulf stream lapping the shores.

Moving east, for two days we explore Dartmoor and the nearby gardens. Further east, we spend three days in and around Salisbury, and we travel through the New Forest to Beaulieu and Furzey gardens. We spend our final five days in the south east counties of Kent and East and West Sussex, which revel in their well-deserved name of “the garden of Eden England”. Among other great gardens, we visit Sissinghurst and Great Dixter. With so much to explore, we could stay here for many more days, but sadly our tour must come to an end.

Join Suz for these 24 special days visiting gardens great and small in “this green and pleasant land”. We do not attempt to see a very large number of gardens, on average visiting less than two per day. Rather, we spend plenty of quality time in those we have selected for you.

SOME TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Multiple Nights in Special Hotels
Leisurely Visits to more than 40 Great Gardens
Hampton Court Palace Flower Show option

Thank you for taking me to the 'Gardens of England'. Another wonderful trip to hold in my memory. With all good wishesRhondda M.

I thank you sincerely for another wonderful trip. Your care and detail beforehand pays off. Again I am left with many happy memories.Isobel H.

I would like to thank you both for giving us such a wonderful relaxing holiday with great company … Your knowledge added so much to our enjoyment of so many historic places and gardens.June S.

After such an intense holiday with everything so well organised by you both, we find resuming our activities here has been ‘unsettling’. Want more, that’s the trouble!!Margaret M.

Thanks for another bundle of delectable memories, dear Suz and Jack. You are wonderful travelling companions.Ruth M.

Booking Terms and Conditions

IN AN ENGLISH COUNTRY GARDEN

24 Days : June 16 - July 9, 2015

$10,990 per person twin; Single Supplement $1,970

PART ONE

: The booking form must be completed and signed on behalf of all passengers named on the form. A non-refundable deposit of $1500 per person is payable to secure bookings. NB Take out Travel Insurance at the time of booking to protect your deposit from cancellation due to illness etc.

: Tour places will be confirmed by The Operator.

: The tour described herein represents a complete land package and as such an itemised breakdown of component costs will not be given.

: If unforeseen circumstances beyond our control make changes necessary The Operator reserves the right to vary the itinerary.

: In the unlikely event that passenger numbers should fall below minimums The Operator may cancel the tour up to 30 days prior to departure. In this case all moneys paid will be refunded in full.

: Single clients wishing to twin-share are required to pay the single supplement which will be fully refunded if a suitable travelling companion is available.

TOUR MEMBERSHIP

: This tour is inappropriate for children under 10 years of age.

: Handicapped passengers are welcome provided they are accompanied and do not require special assistance as a certain amount of walking is a feature of this tour and equipment space in the vehicle is limited.

: Any physical mental or emotional disability or known condition that may require special handling or attention or treatment must be reported in writing when booking indicating fitness for this tour.

: Membership may be withdrawn from anyone whose behaviour or health is likely to adversely affect the health safety or enjoyment of other passengers or affect the smooth operation of the tour and The Operator shall be under no liability to such person/s.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE per person as shown

: LAND ONLY costs including mini-coach twin-share accommodation full breakfast all dinners some lunches all admissions outings and extras as per itinerary and your escort and driver.

: Please refer to ‘Changes in Prices and Itinerary’ in Booking Conditions Part Two.

LUGGAGE

: Is restricted to one medium suitcase (not too large please) and one carry-on bag per person.

This carry-on bag can become a day bag for items which you may require on the vehicle throughout the day but if this is a wheeled bag it may not fit in the vehicle with you, and if it is a back pack you may not be permitted to wear it in some shops or private venues.

: Be prepared to manage your own luggage as portage may not always be available.

: Please note that not all of our accommodations have lifts.

Booking Conditions Part Two is available on the web site heritageandgardentours.com and in the brochure.

At a glance:

Your host:

Suzanne (Suz) Price

Accompanying you and conducting this special tour will be Suzanne Price. Since 1994 she and her husband Jack have been researching and travelling extensively, designing, developing, organising and escorting these unique tours. They began with the idea that they could offer people a style of holiday which was an alternative to organised large group coach travel, with its long days, short stops, inflexible itineraries and accommodation in large impersonal tourist hotels in less-than-ideal situations. They developed these quality tours based on the philosophy of travelling in small groups along the byways and wildways at a comfortable pace to choice and select destinations, with ample time at every stop to achieve lasting memories.
Suz brings to the tour the knowledge and experience gained from more than four decades of gardening, designing gardens and guiding groups through gardens. Her enthusiasm and ability to share this knowledge has been demonstrated over a number of years of lecturing and writing about horticulture. A life member of the International Bulb Society, and referred to as “the bulb lady”, Suz has grown hundreds of rare, choice and dwarf bulbous species. She is better known as the creator of the Urban Woodland garden style and author of the highly-acclaimed book of the same name; travelling with Suz can lead you on a never-ending search for the elusive Faraway Tree in the Enchanted Wood. What better place to find it than in the great gardens of England?
Suz looks forward to sharing with you, in like-minded company, the excitement of experiencing in England the gardens of your dreams, to exploring with you the greatest gardens that England has to offer, and to imparting a little of her knowledge of the extraordinary abilities of trees.

Heritage and Gardens International

Heritage and Gardens International specialises in quality tours for very small groups, travelling with 6 - 12 people along back-roads and byways at a comfortable pace, allowing ample time at every stop to achieve lasting memories, and spending multiple nights in distinguished and historic accommodation.
For more than twenty years, we have been designing, organising and escorting our unique tours to beautiful gardens, woodland and wilderness in the United Kingdom, Europe, United States, Canada and Tasmania.